Happy 21st Birthday now you can get off my medical aid!

When do kids stop becoming kids? “Never” I hear you chuckle! I don’t have any of my own (just yet) but I have seen a couple of 40 year old kids in my time! The problem is your medical aid scheme isn’t going to allow your 40 year old to remain on your scheme as a child dependent. So what’s the cut off age then? When does a child dependent on a medical scheme become an adult dependent? More importantly, when do you start shelling out more money?

At age 21 (that’s for most medical schemes in South Africa). So as soon as Johnny turns 21 not only are you going to need to fit the bill for his “op skop” but also start budgeting for additional medical aid premiums!

So does the scheme wait until the end of the year before the increase?

If it was your medical aid scheme would you wait? Don’t be crazy! You would want to get more money in as soon as possible. Your medical scheme will charge you adult dependent rates as soon as your child turns 21. If Johnny’s birthday is the 21st September and your medical aid collection date is the 1st October, expect an increase.

How much more could you be paying?

Again, it can vary from one medical scheme to another and also which plan type you are on but here is a quick matrix based on Discovery Health’s 2012 rates. I’ve just pulled down a few plans to give you an idea of what it would cost you to have your child turn 21.

Plan Type

Main & Child

Main & Adult

Premium Variance

% Increase

Executive

R4003

R6730

R2727

68%

Classic Comp

R3312

R5369

R2057

62%

Classic Priority

R2590

R3307

R717

28%

Classic Saver

R2312

R2952

R640

28%

Classic Core

R1720

R2196

R476

28%

If you are on a mid-range medical aid plan bank on a 30% increase (give or take).